Founder of Startup Weekend and Startup Enthusiast Based in Boulder, Colorado

10 Things that Helped Me Lose 30 pounds in 120 days

I couple people have noticed I have lost some serious weight in the last 4 months. I wanted to tell you what worked for me, for all of you resolutionaries that have decided that the weight must come off.

I am not a doctor, nor do I think all of these tips will help everyone. Consult with a doctor and or a trainer.

Here is what I did:

1) Be Ok With the Starting Weight

No matter where you are right now, be happy with yourself. No need to be dieting to make yourself happy. Lose some weight to be happier, not the as the basis of happiness.

2) Don’t Eat to Be Full

Eat to not be hungry. Your portions should be small (size of an orange) but you can eat a lot of them (4-5 meals a day).

3) Eat Simple

Find the foods you like and make them over and over. For me it is a rice, beans, ground beef and salsa dish. I have it over 3 times a week. Here is a picture of a sweet potato and chicken dish (with a pesto) that I make often as well. French Fries are a regular part of my diet, even while loosing weight. Skip the soda and empty calories.

4) Acupuncture is Your Friend

I started seeing major results after going in and figuring out what I was allergic to. It took me 3 years to get over my fear of needles, but am so glad I did.

5) Don’t Eat Your Allergies

You most likely are allergic to something. Don’t eat it. Find out what it is through a blood test or even better, get an allergy test from an acupuncturist.

6) Small Bursts of Exercise

I do pushups on a exercise ball, very little more, for my daily exercise. Usually 3 sets of 15 or so, spread throughout the day. Your body burns most of its calories throughout the day, not during one workout. Help your body burn calories by building up your core.

7) Exercise When You Want

I did very little actual workouts throughout my 120 days, but I stayed active. Ride your bike, walk around, do pushups. I didn’t feel the need to plan workouts.

8) Find Some Friends

Rich invented this 120 program, which to be honest I didn’t put much time into. What it did to brilliantly is provide a ‘support community’ that I could think about when I got off track. I thought “if they are doing it, so can I.” Get some friends, even just one, and check in a report to them.

9) Put a Scale in a Public Place

I put mine in the kitchen, and wrote my results down on a big sheet of paper where everyone could see. When I started, I was 233.5. As I write this post, I am 203.3, just over 30 pounds lighter.

10) Habits Are Key

You are developing habits here, that is the key. This is more about lifelong fitness than anything. Understand that these are little changes that add up, not some miracle diet.

Have fun in the new year! For the first time in 10 years my new years resolutions don’t have ‘lose weight’ anywhere on them.

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About Andrew Hyde

I’m a vagabond and a minimalist that sold everything but 15 things and went on a big trip (82 countries). My most read and respected blog posts are here. This blog has reached millions with writing about minimalism, startups, design, culture and events.